Depth-controlled mine



E. A. SPERRY, Jn.

DEPTH CONTROLLED MINE.

APPucATIoN mw APR.16, 1911.

Patented May 9, 1922.v

2 SHEETS-SHEET i.

E. A. SPERRY, JR.

DEPTH coNTRoLLEo MINE.

v APPLICATION FILED APR, I6. IQIY- l I 1,415,614, Patented May 9, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ELE/IEB. A. SPERRY, JR., GF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 1922.

Application led April 16, 1917. Serial No. 162,245.

T all whom t may concern.'

Be known that l, ELMER A. SPERRY, J r., a citien of the United States of America', residing at 1505 Albemarle Road, Brooklyn,

in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Depth-Controlled Mines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to submarine mines,

more particularly to that class adapted` to explode when a predetermined depth is attained.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide such a mine with a detachable buoy or ioat, thus producing a practically unitary structure.

Another object is to provide a novel form ot adjusting means for predetermining the distance` between the mine and buoy, aat

which the mine is to be exploded.

A further object is to provide means for preventing explosion of the mine while the above mentioned adjustment is being effected.

A still further object is to provide a novel form of adjusting tool.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate what I now consider the preferred form of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the mine and buoy or float in normal, inoperative position.

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the positions assumed by the parts aft'ter being launched.

Figs. 3, 4c and 5 are fragmentary sectional details illustrating the different positions of the tiring and releasing` mechanisms and Fig. (i is an elevation of an adjusting tool.

My invention comprises a lioat or buoy, a mine or explosive container. firing mechanism. means for causing operation of the tiring mechanism when a certain distance between the float and buoy is attained and .means for predetermining this distance.

rlfhe float or buoy may assume the form illustrated at 1 in Fig. 1. This float 1v is shown as being` constructed of sheet metal tov form an annular airtight container f1, the inner wall 3 of the float being shown in the 'form ol? an inverted funnel. The bottom portion 5 of the iloat may be provided with an annular flange G adapted to be engaged by fastening means, such as springs 7 7 carried by the top 8 of the mine 2 thus forming a detachable or releasable connection between the mine and float.

The springs 7, 7 are of such strength that they will hold mine 2 and buoy 1 together' when these parts are dropping or thrown through the air, but which will permit separation of the above mentioned parts when launched, such separation being due to the weight of the mine.

The mine 2 is shown as a two part container, the central tubular portion containing a detonating charge 10 and the surrounding space containing a main charge 11.

The tiring mechanism may take the form of a plunger 12 and anvil 70. The latter is shown iixedly mounted within the tube 9 andas being in the form of an annulus, supporting at its inner portion a primer 14k. The plunger 12 is adapted to slide in a sleeve 13 and carries a firing pin 14 adapted to engage the primer. Suitable means are provided for holding the plunger in inoperative or non-firing position.

Such means may take the form illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, land 5 in which the plunger 12 is shown as provided with a plurality of pins 15 slidable radially with respect to the plunger and of such a length that when the outer ends engage the interior of the sleeve 13 the 'inner ends extend into a recess 16 provided in the plunger 12. An internally threaded sleeve 17 also normally projects into said recess 16. the end which enters the recess being provided with an annular depression 18 in which the pins 15 normally seat to secure the sleeve to the plunger. The opposite end of the sleeve 17 is provided with a flange 19 in engagement with a sleeve 20 suitably secured to the top 8 of the mine as by threaded engagement with a flanged member 21 riveted or otherwise secured to the said top S. Thus as the sleeve 17 is held 'from downward movement, so also is the plunger 12 as long as these-parts are secured to each other.

The sleeve 13 may be secured against longitudinal movement by screw threaded engagement with the interior oit the lined sleeve 20. Also while the weight of the plunger may be utilized to cause engagement of the pin 14 and the primer, a spring 22 engaging the fixed sleeve 2O and the plunger may be provided to actuate the latter.

The releasing means is designed to release the plunger when a predetermined distance between the buoy 1 and mine 2 is reached and may take the form illustrated in the drawing and which is Iconstructed as follows:

As has been previously stated the sleeve 17 is screw threaded on its interior and a screw 23 enters said interior portion. This screw may be provided with an enlarged portion 24 adapted to be engaged by a shoulder 26 provided on the interior of a sleeve 25. As will later appear the release of the plunger' 12 is effected by raising the latter. Means are therefore provided for raising the sleeve For this purpose this last mentioned sleeve may be provided with a keyway 28 into which a screw 29 secured to a fixed housing 30 is adapted to project and the exterior of the said sleeve may be screw-threaded. By virtue of the key-way and screw 29 the sleeve 25 is 'constrained to move only in a longitudinal direction so that if the nut 31, engaging this sleeve and capable only of rotative movement, is turned the sleeve 25 will be moved in a longitudinal direction. The above mentionedl housing 30 is shown in the shape of a hollow cone adapted to fit into the funnel shaped portion 3 of the buoy and .tixedly secured at its bottom to sleeve 20. r1 tube 32 may be provided at the top of the housing 30 which tube together with the fixed sleeve 20 prevents longitudinal movement of the nut 31.

The means for rotating the nut 31 may assume the form of a reel 33 secured to said nut within the housing 30 and adapted to be rotated by a flexible member such as a cord or cable 34 wound around it. This cord or cable 34 is secured at its free end to the buoy 1 by` any suitable means such as a link 35 secured to an eye 36 on the bottom 5 of said buoy. The cable 34 is shown as passing through an opening 37 in the housing 30 and may be passed throughan opening` 3S provided in a collar 39 fixed to the top of the housing 30 so that there will be no pull on the cable between the reel and buoy before the latter and the mine separate when launched and so that the mine will hang in a vertical position as it sinks through the water. Two of the springs 7 mounted on the mine. and designated as 7', 7', ma;v be arranged comparatively close together. one on either side of the eye when the buoy and mine are in assembled position. (see Fig. 1) to prevent relative rotation of said last mentioned parts.

The reel may be normally locked against rotation by means of a pin 40 adapted to pass through a bent-in portion 43 of housing 30 and into a socket member 41 secured to the reel. The socket entering end of the nin 40 may be annularly recessed to be engaged by a spring 42 secured to the socket member to prevent accidental derancfement of the pin.

TWhile the pin 40 could be withdrawn manually prior to the launching of the mine I refer to perform this function automatically. This function may be accomplished by securing the pin to the free end of the cable 34 in any suitable manner for example by means of a cord 44.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings and described above lends itself readily to adjustment as to the distance between buoy and mine necessary to explode the latter. This adjustingmeans is designed to accomplish its adjusting function without in any manner disturbing or moving the firing plunger 12, in fact the latter is locked against movement of any kind, by virtue of the locking of the reel, until after the buoy is launched.

The above mentioned adjustment may be effected by locking the sleeve 17 against rotation and turning the screw 23. Bearing in mind that the adjustment is made with the reel locked, the sleeve 17 may be locked by providing a clutch connectionr 45 between it and the sleeve 25, this being the normal or inoperative position of the parts. Turning the screw 23 will, under these conditions, vary the distance between the shoulder A26 and the enlarged portion 24 of the screw so that the reel when released will have to make a larger or smaller number of revolutions, which means that a greater or smaller length of cable will have to be paid out to cause release of the plunger 12. Springs 46 or other suitable means may be provided to prevent accidental derangement of the screw 23.

While the last mentioned element could be rotated by an ordinary screw driver, T prefer to use the form of adjusting tool shown in Fig. 6 and which may be constructed substantially as follows.

A shank 50 is provided at one end with a suitable projection 51, adapted to engage the head' of the screw 23 to turn the same, and may be Vprovided at its other end with suitable means for turning the tool, such as a handle 52. Means are provided 0n the tool for indicating at what depth the mine will explose. Such means may take the form of a collar 54 slidable on the shank 50, of a smaller ydiameter than the inside diameter of the tube 32 and adapted to be locked in various positions along the shank. The locking means for the collar may take the form of notches 55 provided along one side of the shank and in any one of which a detent 56 carried by the collar is adapted to seat. This detent 56 is shown as mounted on a spring 57 secured at one end to the collar 54. A scale 53 is provided on the shank 50 which scale may be calibrated to read in depths at which the mine will explode. The adiustment is effected as follows: T he collar is adjusted along the shank until its top is coincident with the indication of the desired depth on the scale 53 and the detent will lock the collar in this position. The tool is then inserted in the tube 32, engaged with head of the screw 23 and turned in the proper direction until the top of the collar 54v is flush with the top of tube 32.

In addition to the resilient securing means 7 between the mine 2 and buoy 1 additional securing means, such asa pin passing through holes 61 in the tube 32, may be provided.

'The advantages of the structure shown and described up to this point will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Some of the important advantages are as follows: The whole device is in the form of a unitary structure adapted to be handled with comparative'ease and safety, as the firing plunger is locked until the device is launched. The assembled device is of uniform diameter and all of the parts, including the cable attaching` means, are within the outer confines so that none of the parts are subject to accidental derangement or breaking off. The removable securing means at the top enables the device to be carried about and handled, prior to launching, without danger of separating the buoy and mine. By virtue of the resilient middle joint between the buoy and mine the latter are held together when the device is launched but automatically separate when the device strikes the water. The funnel shaped concavity at the bottom of the buoy and the cone shaped housing 30 and tube 32 cooperate to provide for telescopingofthe parts and to provide a satisfactory means for guiding the parts both in assembly and in separation of the mine and buoy after launching.

The operation of my invention is substantially as follows: When it is desired to use one of the devices the pin GO-is removed and the screw 23 is turned by means of the tool 50, which has previously been set for the required depth, until the top of the collar 54 is flush with the top of the tube 32. This part of the adjustment can be effected in the dark as the operator can determine when the top of colla-r 54 is flush with the top of the tube 32byv the sense of touch. Furthermore, this part of the adjustment is effected without any necessity of lifting or moving' the mine. The adjustment of the collar 54 can be readily made as the tool 50 can easily be carried to a source of light or to any other suitable place. The adjustment having been made the device is then ready for launching. The device is lifted, by takinghold of the mine 2, andA thrown or placed overboard. Vhen in the water the` buoy 1 floats at the surface and the, mine 2starts tosink due to its weightI 1t should be noticed that as the tube 32 1s of a length several times its diameter and as the length of cable between eye 36 and the pin 40 is greater than the length of said tube 32, all possibility-of binding between the buoy 1 and mine 2 is avoided. After the mine and buoy are separated the pin 40 is withdrawn so that the reel 33 is free to rotate. Further sinking of the mine causes the cable 34 to rotate the reel and consequently the nut 31 which causes the shoulder 2G t0 approach the enlarged portion 24 of the screw 23. The relative position of the mine and buoy at this stage of the operation is indicated in F ig. 2. The elevation of the nut 31 causes'engagement between the shoulder 26 and enlarged portion 24 as indicated in F ig. 3. The further travel of the nut 3l due to the sinkingof the mine now causes the elevation of the screw 23 and plunger 12 until the parts assume the position indicated in F ig. 4 in which position the pins 15 have passed above the top of sleeve 13v and are forced radially outward into the space above said sleeve due to the pressure of the spring 22, the weight of the plunger l2 and the co-acting bevelled faces of the said pins and the annular recess 1S. The plunger 12 is now freed from the sleeve 17 and drops, by gravity or due t0 the propelling action of the spring 22, causing the firing pin 14 to engage the primer 14, (as shown in Fig. 5) to explode the mine.

Viewed from a different standpoint, i. e., from the standpoint of convenience in manufacture and assembly it will be noticed that my device is made up of three distinct units, the float or buoy l, the explosive container or mine 2 and the firing mechanism containing housing 3() each of which parts can be separately constructed and all of which parts can be readily attached for assembly. The housing 30 is secured to the container or mine 2 simply by screwing the sleeve 2O into the flanged member 21. The float 1 is then placed over the housing and snapped into engagement with springs 7 and the pin G0 inserted through the tube 32. Fur.- thermore it will be noticed that all of the securing means together with the mechanism are entirely within the outer cylindrical confines and near the longitudinal center line of the assembled device.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means. Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combination and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general results outlined, and the invention extends to such use.v i

l-laving descrioed my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: A

l. In combination, a mine, means for exploding said mine at a. predetermined depth below the surface oit the Water, adjusting mechanism for predetermining the depth at which said mine will be exploded and mean for preventing the release of said exploding means While said adjustment is being eitectcd. Y Y

2. ln combination, a mine. a float, means tor exploding said mine when said ioat and mine are spaced a predetermined distance, adjusting mechanism for determining the distance at which said mine willr explode and means for preventing the release oi said exploding means by actuation oli said adjusting means.

3. ln combination, a mine, a buoy normally in juxtaposition thereto and provided with a central opening, said mine being provided with a projecting portion adapted to enter said opening to serve as a guide in assembly and separation ot the mine and buoy, a reel in said projected portion, a cable Wound upon said reel and connected to said buoy and tiring means controlled by said reel.

il. ln combination, a mine, a buoy attached thereto. a detachable connection between said mine and buoy adapted to hold them together when dropping tl'irough the air but permitting automatic separation ot said buoy and mine when launched and means controlled by the degree o1 said separation tor causing the explosion of said mine.

ln combination, a mine, a buoy attached thereto, av releasable connection between said mine and buoy whereby the former is supported by the latter When'the latter is suspended, a second releasable connection between said mine and buoy adapted to hold them together when dropping through air, after said first releasable connection has been released, but'permitting automatic separation of said buoy and mine when launched.

6. ln combination, a mine, a buoy releasably attached in juxtaposition to said mine, firing mechanism tor said mine adapted to fire the same upon separation oit said buoy and mine.v normally locked releasing mech.- anism Vfor' said firing mechanism and means 'tor automatically unlocking said releasing `mechanism when said mine and buoy are launched.

7. ln combination, a imno, a Vfloat, firing mechanism for said mine, normally locked rotatable releasing'mechanism for said liring mechanism. means for automatically unlocking said. releasing mechanism when said mine and float are launched and means Jfor causing said releasing mechanism to release said firing mechanism When said mine and float are spaced a predetermined distance.

8. ln combination, a mine, a buoy, tiring mechanism for said mine, normally locked rotatable releasing mechanism for said fir ing mechanism, means for automatically un loclring said releasing mechanism when said mine and buoy are spaced a predetermined distance and means, including said releasing mechanism, for rendering said iiring mechanism operative when said buoy and mine are spaced a distance apart different from the first mentioned distance.

9. In combination, a mine, tiring mechanism therefor including a firing pin, means for retracting said firing pin to release it comprising a lost motion connection and means comprising a part of said mechanism for effecting an adjustment ot the amount of lost motion.

1G. ln combination, a mine, tiring mechanism therefor including a firing pin, means for releasing said firing pin comprising a lost motion connection, means comprising a part of said mechanism for effecting an adjustment of the amount ot' lost motion and means for preventing movement of said liring pin While adjustments are being made.

l1. ln combination, a mine, a buoy, said mine and buoy being normally in telescopic engagement and resilient means for maintaining said engagement When said mine and buoy are dropping through space and for preventing relative rotation of last named elements.

12. ln combination, a mine, an element flexibly connected therewith, means including a rotatable element for exploding said mine and locking means for said rotatable element said locking means being connected to said flexible connection.

13. ln combination, a mine, an element flexibly connected therewith, means includ-v ing a rotatable element for exploding said mine when said mine and element are spaced a predetermined distance and means for pre- Venting rotation oft said rotatable element, said last named means being connected to said irst named element.

let- 'ln combination, a mine, an element, firing mechanism for said mine, normally locked releasing mechanism for said tiring mechanism, means for automatically unlockinc said releasing mechanism by separa-ting said mine and element, and means for actuating said firing mechanism by further separation of said mine and element.

l5. ln combination, a mine, a buoy, firing mechanism for said mine, normally locked releasing mechanism for said firing mechanism, means for automatically unlocking said releasing mechanism by separating sai mine and buoy, and means for actuating said firing mechanism by further separa-tion of said mine and buoy.

16. A two part mine, a releasable resilient connection between said parts., one of said parts being provided with a funnel-shaped recess, a funnelshaped housing on the other of said parts adapted to seat within said recess,l said parts being symmetrical in exterior appearance.

17. A two part mine, a releasable resilient connection between said parts, one of said parts being provided with a funnel-shaped recess. a funnel-shaped housing on the other of said parts adapted to seat within said recess, said parts being symmetrical in exterior appearance, and firing mechanism within said housing.

18. In asubmarine mine,firing mechanism including a plunger, a member normally connected with said plunger to retract the same, means for disconnecting said plunger and member after said plunger has traveled a fixed distance, an element for actuating said member after said element has moved a certain distance relative to said mine, rotatable means for so moving said element and means for varying said last named distance, the first named distance remaining constant throughout.

19. In an explosive device, a plunger, a firing pin carried thereby, an extensible stem normally connected at one end to said plunger and carrying at its other end a head, a longitudinally movable sleeve provided with a shoulder for engaging said head and means for disconnecting said plunger and stem after said plunger has been retracted a certain distance, which distance is fixed and independent of the initial distance between said shoulder and head.

20. In a submarine mine, a plunger, a sleeve normally detachably connected at one end to said plunger, a ange on the opposite end of said sleeve, a fixed support between said fiange and plunger for preventing movement of said plunger to firing position when said plunger is connected to said sleeve and means for disconnecting said sleeve and plunger by retraction of said sleeve.

21. In an explosive device, a plunger, a sleeve normally detachably connected at one end to said plunger, a flange on the opposite end of said sleeve, a fixed support between said flange and plunger for preventing movement of said plunger to iiring position when said plunger is connected to said sleeve, a rod adjustably connected to said sleeve, a second sleeve, a lost motion connec tion between said second sleeve and said rod, means for moving said second sleeve and means for disconnecting said first mentioned sleeve and plunger after said plunger has moved a fixed distance.

22. In a submarine mine, a plunger, a sleeve normally detachably connected at one end to said plunger, a fiange on the opposite end of said sleeve, a fixed support between said flange and plunger 'for preventing movement of said plunger to firing position when said plunger is connected to said sleeve, a second sleeve normally engaging said rst sleeve at the opposite side of said flange to prevent movement of said plunger away from firing position, a lost motion connection between said sleeves, means for moving said second sleeve and means for disconnect ing said first mentioned sleeve and plunger after said second sleeve has been moved a predetermined extent. i

23. In a submarine mine, a plunger, a sleeve normally connected to said plunger to prevent movement of said plunger toward firing position, a second sleeve constrained to move in a longitudinal direction and normally in engagement with said lirst sleeve on the side opposite the plunger, a connection between said sleeves wherebv rotation of said first sleeve is normallyprevented, a nut restrained against longitudinal movement and in engagement withthe exterior of said second sleeve and means for rotating said nut.

24, In a submarine mine, a plunger, a sleeve normally connected to said plunger to prevent movement of said plunger toward firing position, a second sleeve constrained to move in a longitudinal direction and normally in engagement with said first sleeve on the side opposite the plungeiga connection between said sleeves whereby rotation of said first sleeve is normally` prevented, a nut restrained against longitudinal movement and in engagement with the exterior of said second sleeve, and means for rotating said nut, said means comprising a reel conilected to said nut.

25. In a submarine mine, a plunger, a sleeve normally connected to said plunger to prevent movement of' said plunger toward firing position, a second sleeve constrained to move in a longitudinal direction and normally in engagement with said first sleeve on the side opposite the plunger, a connection between said sleeves whereby rotation of said iirst sleeve is normally prevented, a rod screw-threadedly engaged with the interior of said first sleeve, an enlarged portion on said rod, a shoulder on said second sleeve adapted to engage said enlarged portion after a predetermined movement of said second sleeve and means for moving said second sleeve.

26. In a submarine mine, a plunger, a sleeve normally connected to said plunger to prevent movement of said plunger toward firing position, a second sleeve constrained to move in a longitudinal direction and normally in engagement with said first sleeve 13.0

on the side opposite the plunger, a connection between said sleeves whereby rotation of said irst sleeve is normally prevented, a rod screw-threadedly engaged with the interior of said irstsleeve, an enlarged portion on said rod, a shoulder on said second sleeve adapted to engage said enlarged portion after a predetermined movement of said second sleeve and means for moving said second sleeve, said means comprising a nut in screw-threaded engagement with said second sleeve and a reel connected to said nut.

27. In a submarine mine, iiring mechanism, means comprising a reelrfor rendering said tiring mechanism eil'ective, a cone shaped housing for enclosing said reel, a cable on said reel, an eye member near the apex of said cone, said cable passing Jfrom said reel, through an opening in said housing and then through said eye member and means for locking said reel to vsaid housing, said last mentioned means comprising a pin connected to said cable.

28. A submarine mine comprising a cat, a firing mechanism containing housing and an explosive container, an automatically detachable connection between said float and container and a detachable connection between said housing and float,

29. In combination,` an explosive container, a firing mechanism containing housing detachably secured to said container and projecting therefrom, a float provided with a central recess extending therethrough adapted to receive and enclose said housing and removable means for the top of said housing whereby said housing may be supported from said float. l

30. The combination of av casing, a tiring s mechanism therein including an axially missie movable member and a reel having enacting threads whereby rotation oi the reel causes axial movement ot said member for Firing, a flexible member wound on the reel and connected thereto, and a lock for holding the reel against movement secured to the ilexible member so as to be released thereby; sub-A stantially as described. l

3l. The combination oi a casing and a iiring mechanism therein consisting of a spring actuated firing pin, an interiorly threaded axially movable member for actuating the pin, a headed rod having threaded engagement with said member, a 'hollow exteriorly threaded shaft within which the headed rod lies and which is provided with a shoulder to engage the head of the rod, means for holding the hollow shaft against rotational movement and permitting axial movement thereof, a reel having internal threads coacting with the external threads on the hollow shaft, and a flexible cable wound on the reel and connected thereto; substantially as described.

32. In combination, a mine, a buoy, firing mechanism including a plunger, a member normally connected with said plunger to retract the same, means for disconnecting said plunger and member after said .plunger has traveled a fixed distance, an element for actuating said member after said clement has moved a certain distance relative to said mine, means for so moving said element connected with said buoy, and means for varying said last named distance, the first named distance remaining constant.

In testimony whereof I have aiiixed my signature.

ELMER A; srERRY, JR, 

